Tag Archives: go away

As we read Matthew 9, we find numerous accounts of Jesus healing people. One of the narratives describes Jesus visiting a synagogue leader’s home where a daughter “just died.” People were gathered around this home mourning. We read the crowd was noisy and the pipes were being played—this is something we all can imagine. Funeral music. Sorrowful moment. But then laughter?!?

When Jesus arrives on the scene, He tells everyone to stop the funeral. “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep,” He says (v. 24 NIV). The crowd laughs. No way. How can that be possible? Indeed, she is dead.

We get to see the story in context. We read often of the healings done by Jesus so it’s possible that we don’t get the reason for the laughter. Of course, Jesus is the great Healer. Why are you laughing? This chapter alone contains numerous stories of healing. But when we take a moment, when we evaluate our own lives, we laugh too. We have many “no way” moments. When the world is crashing down upon us and the Spirit speaks the Truth—we respond with a doubtful “no way.” When we look at the facts, when we see what is in front of us, we respond with the faith lacking “no way.”

Today, be reminded that our God is God of the impossible. He says “yes way” in response to our doubts. He says, “Take heart.” Remember what He says to the two blind men—“According to your faith let it be done to you” (v. 29 NIV). They believed the “yes way.” Friends, He knows your needs. He knows your heart. He knows your struggles. Have faith. Take heart. Yes way.